INDUSTRIAL SKILLS WEEK AFRICA (ISWA) 2025
Theme: Powering Africa’s Industrial Future by Advancing the Skills Ecosystem
The African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD), in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Zambia, is hosting the Industrial Skills Week Africa (ISWA) 2025 from 9–10 September 2025 at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka, Zambia. This continental platform aims to accelerate dialogue, partnerships, and action around the critical role of skills development in powering Africa’s industrial transformation.
Context and Urgency.
Africa’s working-age population is projected to exceed 1 billion by 2035.
However, 60% of African youth remain unemployed or in vulnerable work, while 11 million jobs are required annually by 2030 to absorb new labour market entrants.
A growing skills mismatch limits productivity, innovation, and employment in key sectors such as manufacturing, mining, agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, and green industries.
Objectives of ISWA 2025
Showcase innovations linking TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) to employment and entrepreneurship.
Promote labour market intelligence and future skills forecasting.
Foster youth and women’s participation in Africa’s industrial transformation.
Highlight Zambia’s leadership in demand-driven and inclusive TVET reform.
Zambian Perspective.
Hon. Felix Chipota Mutati, Minister of Technology and Science, stressed:
Partnerships are essential — government sets policy, industry creates opportunities, academia produces knowledge, and development partners support innovation.
Zambia has expanded access to education, increasing entry-level college enrolments from 34,000 to 100,000 in four years, with financial support.
Reforms in TEVET, digital innovation, and green skills aim to make Zambia a regional hub for skills and technology.
Key Issues Identified.
Skills-Industry Mismatch – Education must align with industry expectations.
Youth Unemployment – Over 60% of young Africans are unemployed or in precarious jobs.
Need for Partnerships – Collaboration across government, industry, academia, and development partners is critical.
Access to Skills Development – Breaking barriers of access, especially for youth and women.
Turning Dialogue into Action – Moving beyond discussions to implement concrete solutions.
Knowledge Sharing Across Africa – Exchange of best practices, e.g., Zambia sending lecturers to Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Agenda 2063 Alignment – Ensuring Africa’s industrialisation is inclusive, innovative, and youth-driven.
Permanent Secretary’s Remarks (Eng. Dr. Brilliant Habeenzu)
Africa must accelerate industrialisation through adaptable, innovative skills systems.
The Marketplace Innovation Exhibition demonstrates Africa’s readiness to industrialise through local ingenuity.
Zambia’s 8th National Development Plan prioritises human capital development, digital skills, and green growth.
Call for sustainable partnerships that extend beyond the event.
Industrial Skills Week Africa (ISWA) 2025 is a landmark continental platform uniting policymakers, industry, academia, and youth to address Africa’s urgent skills gap. With a rapidly growing labour force and high youth unemployment, Africa faces both an opportunity and a challenge. Key priorities include aligning education with industry needs, expanding access to skills development, fostering women and youth participation, and ensuring regional collaboration.
ISWA 2025 is not just a conference—it is a call to action to build Africa’s industrial future through skills, innovation, and partnerships, in line with Agenda 2063.
